Doctor’s Don’t Listen To Women. I Almost Died From A Heart Attack.

Women and Heart Disease. I'm Still Here.

First I will tell you the story of my heart attacks also called myocardial infarction. Believe me at my age I didn't know what myocardial infarction even meant. I also had a doctor that would not listen to what I had to say.

I wasn't feeling well for a while just tired and not too sure what was going on. I was only 38. I had a husband, three kids and a houseful of pets to take care of. I was never a very sick person always in pretty good health.

I was so tired and some nights I would sit up in bed trying to breathe. I would fall asleep leaning over my pillow. My heart would also feel like it was jumping or fluttering when I would lie down at night. It's called heart arrhythmia. I didn't know that at the time. I was also always cold.

In June, our oldest son was graduating. I was busy getting the house ready for relatives coming and a graduating party. One morning I got out of bed and came up the stairs and my heart started beating in my neck very hard. I called the clinic and went in to see whatever doctor was there on a Saturday morning. He did an Electrocardiogram and told me it looked a little funny, but was nothing. He gave me a prescription for Valium. I didn't take them because I didn't want to take them! Which was foolish they would have helped, but they also would have covered up a big problem?

That fall I decided to see my regular doctor and complained to him about everything I had been having trouble with. He sent me for an Echocardiogram. I waited, weeks went by and he never called me so I called him to find out what my test showed. He told me I had a few palpitations learn to live with them and not to come back and see him with this problem. He made me mad and I decided I was done with doctors. I also thought this must all be in my head because of the way this man treated me.

As the year went on I felt no better, in fact, worse. I would take naps when the kids were at school and I slept so hard it was like I had been someplace else when I woke up. I made it through winter and the next summer, but when winter came again. I was really feeling bad; by 4:00 in the afternoon I didn't have enough energy to make dinner. My husband and kids would do it. My husband and I talked about what was going on with me and we even talked cancer. He tried to convince me to go to the doctor again, but I couldn’t, not again.

Here are some of my symptoms, when I would get up in the morning I would feel out of breath and I would break out in a cold sweat. My ankles and feet would swell, my arm, fingers, and shoulder would hurt on my left side. The center of my back hurt all the time. The back of my neck hurt and my left jaw hurt felt like a toothache. I had difficulty swallowing and I got where I couldn't eat beef. I have no idea why that happened. I was so cold all the time I would go to bed with a flannel gown, leggings, and my robe and still could not get warm. I would also set up in bed at night trying to breath, it was so bad. I was also very depressed. I had a feeling of impending doom. I also gained weight it was nothing for me to gain 8 lbs overnight I couldn’t figure out what was going on. I was dieting always watching what I ate never ate fast food. I didn't know the fluid was building up from my heart not working well.

I even went through my things and told my husband what I wanted each child to have.

The first of December came. Friends were going Christmas shopping and wanted me to go. I went and I felt fine when I left the house. It was cold that day about 20 degrees. When I got out of the car my jaw would start to throb. I could barely make it into another store, but once I was out of the cold and inside the pain went away. Even though I tried to hide it my friends realized I wasn't feeling good and headed for home early.

That night I had to sleep in a chair. When my husband woke me up I was feeling pretty good, but he knew why I had slept in the chair. He had a fit about it and told me I had to call a doctor.

That morning I looked in the phone book and found a cardiology doctor. Deep inside I knew it was my heart and not cancer. I got in right away even though the doctor wasn't there his physician assistant was there and I knew her. She told me to come in and she would check me.

It was a Friday and I had our paycheck and needed to deposit it in the bank. I had my head set on doing that. Well, my husband had forgotten to sign the check so I signed it. I know that's a no, but I did it anyway. The girl at the bank gave me a big lecture and wouldn't stop reading me the riot act. By the time I got out of there, I was mad. I hate banks.

When I got to the doctor's office and realized I was going to have to walk up a hill. I just about started to cry because I knew how hard that hill was going to be. When I walked into the doctor's office I was holding my chest and knew I was in trouble. All I remember was some lady jumped up and said "take her first."

They called my husband and he got me to the hospital. The minute we stepped through the door they started to question me about our insurance. My husband started to yell making them take me in. The doctor was there. The first thing he said to me was "This is not a heart attack, you're too young at 38, your cheeks are bright you look very healthy. He put me in intensive care just to be safe; a few hours later they realized I had a heart attack. I almost died from the medication they gave me because I was allergic to it. They had to get me out of this small hospital to a larger hospital, but the flight for life couldn't come in, snowing too hard. They had to put me in an ambulance to take me to the larger hospital on icy scary roads.

This is my heart the black is the artery I lost in the attacks

My Heart

Larger Hospital

The doctor at the larger hospital said he would get me on my feet before doing an angiogram. They moved me from Intensive care unit into an intermediate room.

My husband was there to push me around in the hall. I couldn't stand the cold in the hall it gave me pain in my neck. My thumb also started to hurt.

That night they moved me to a regular room. Towards morning, I started having a heart attack. The nurse came in gave me nitro but was not calling for help. I had to tell her to get help and hand me the phone. I called my husband he had an hours drive on bad roads. When the doctors and nurses came running into the room the nurse on duty wouldn’t let them put an IV nitro drip into my arm. She said she would lose her job. They had to wheel me to intermediate before they could get the drip on. This happened three days after I was in this hospital.

They had no choice they had to do an angiogram and I was allergic to the dye they used. I broke out in hives. I had one giant hive over my eye. It was an awful experience. My husband said when they wheeled me out of the angiogram room I looked like I was dead. They called my family said they didn't think I was going to make it. I was allergic to lots of the medications they put me on. I was always pretty healthy only took an aspirin once in a while and the doctor said that's why I was having so many reactions to the medications.

As you can tell I made it. I was in the hospital one month. I missed Christmas and New Years.

The first few years were terrible just getting used to taking the medication. The doctor said the amount of medication I was on would normally be what he would give a large man.

I went to Mayo Clinic and they said they only saw one woman in 10 years my age with a heart attack. That was the old days when women didn't have heart attacks young. Now women do have attacks young. They never figured out why I had the heart attacks. Other than my grandfather I was the first person in my family to have heart trouble.

I lost my left main artery from the attack. I do well now. Have a little trouble with, hills, cold weather, and humid weather. I have seen all my children grow up and have enjoyed grandchildren. I guess I'm a lucky woman. I'm still on huge amounts of medication.

Hope this helps anyone out there that is not feeling good. Don't be like me, go to the doctor and if one won't listen go to another one until you find one that will listen. If I had received the care I needed right away I may have never had the heart attacks. If only they would have listened. I blame the doctor he thought I was some stupid housewife looking for attention. The way the first doctor treated me makes me mad to this day. There are more women that die from heart attacks than men, but the men get the attention and women get sent home with anti-depressants.

Please, call 911 if you’re feeling bad don’t be ashamed, call. Remember heart attacks can come at any time even during sleep. You don't have to be stressed, in the cold, overeating or exercising when an attack can come on. My doctor figured my thumb and neck hurting when I was in the hospital were signs that I was heading for another attack. He said he had a man once that only had pain in his elbow but it was the man's heart.

Coronary Artery Disease is the single largest cause of death for females in the United States.

Even Hubpages overlooks heart disease in women. It's not even listed in the listing of Women's Health. It should have a category of its own.

My List Of Women's Pain and Heart Disease Symptoms

WOMEN OFTEN DO NOT HAVE CHEST PAIN LIKE MEN:

Dizziness

Always cold

ankles, feet and hands swell

Feeling of impending doom

Exhausted

Heart Fluttering

Back pain or back pain that goes into the neck and back of the head

Feeling like you have a toothache

Jaw pain

Left arm pain

Pain just in your fingers on left side

Shortness of breath

Problems swallowing

Heart Burn

Belching

Sudden cold sweats

Breathing problems

Horse voice

Pain in the ear like an earache

Shoulder pain feels like you're carrying a ton of weight on your shoulders

Cheat pain

Burning or squeezing in the chest

Pain when lifting

Pain in jaw or mouth when going into cold

Fainting spells

Stomach Aches

Lots of burping

Doctors don't listen to women even now they don't. I see it every day with my husband, they put him through everything check him over from head to toe. I'm lucky to get them to listen at all. I hate going to the doctor so I only go when I have to and when I do something is always wrong.

All I want is for them to please listen to me. Women almost have to make their symptoms sound more extreme to get a doctor to pay attention.

If any of this happens to you please call 911, chew an aspirin. Do not go to bed if you're not feeling well like Rosie O'Donnell did before her heart attack. You could die in your sleep. Don't feel embarrassed about calling 911.

Please Get Help.

Heart disease kills more women than all the types of cancer combined.

If a doctor is still telling you that you do not have heart disease and you feel he/she is wrong then go to a hospital or clinic that has, (IVUS) Intravascular Ultrasound Imaging. This is a better test for women. Women's heart disease doesn't always show up as easily as in men. There are times when it takes a better test.

A stress test is also a good idea. If your heart is bad you will very likely have trouble making it through the stress test. Then they will know you are not kidding or that you're not a hypochondriac.

Source

My Stents

My update on my heart 2010

Winter of 2009 I started sleeping all the time. When I would sit at the computer my shoulders and back of my neck would hurt so badly. I told my doctor about it, he set up appointments for me to have some heart test. My heart doctor I have had since 1983 so he knew me and knew I didn't complain unless something was really going on.

The test showed that I needed to have two stents put in. I was scared of the heart cath, or also called angioplasty because of a bad experience with it on my last one. I was allergic to the dye they used and broke out in giant hives on the table and having it done after two heart attacks I was weak and in bad shape. It was an awful experience as I explained above. I was worried it would be the same way this time.

The new doctor didn't know after so many years if the stents would go into the left artery I had lost. The stents went in easily; the heart cath wasn't bad they gave me something for my allergic reaction to the cath dye. I have felt so much better and I now just take a few pills. I don't have to take nearly as many as I use to take.

My primary doctor said to me, " You don't realize how bad your heart was, oh, I knew. I knew all through the years he had not been telling me the truth about how bad it was, which I hate. I want the truth about my health no matter how bad it is when I go to a doctor. I handle things much better if I know exactly what is wrong.

Red Dress Women's Heart

H

American Heart Association

American Heart Association Visit the American Heart Ass. and find out what you can do to be heart healthy.

Women's Hearts

February 1st. Is National Wear Red Day

http://goredforwomen.org/

Heart disease claims one woman every minute. Killing more women than men.

How to keep track of your drugs-medication

Medication List

What You Should Do After A Heart Attack.

After the heart attacks. I was taking 30 pills a day and I had to find a way of keeping track. I also had many doctor appointments and I was always being asked for medication and health history. Who can remember all of that?

Here's a sample of how I keep track of my medication. I make my list using Microsoft works, saved in a folder on my computer. I also print one out and have it laminated and keep it in my purse at all times. When I have a doctor's appointment I print an extra one and take it to the doctor's office. The nurse is always happy to see it and will always take the extra copy to put in my record.

Another way I keep track of my medication and my husband’s medication, I put it in my Nook. I always carry my Nook with me when going to a doctor’s appointment. I always take my Nook with me when I have to sit in a waiting room. The medication is there just in case I forget my slip.

Keep on Computer

If this list is kept on the computer it can always be changed. Medication added or removed.

Medical History Sample

Medical History

History

You should always have a medical history written out and copies made either by hand or kept on your computer in a folder that you can print when needed. A sample one like this one will do. Always take one with you when you go to the doctor. The nurse will love you. I do this every time. I also keep copies of my insurance cards.

When you go for a doctor's visit it's very hard remembering dates, surgeries and test. Any medical change, test or surgeries add it to your list. Have a complete list of all your doctors and anything about your health that you think would be important to your doctor. Believe me, it makes life easier.

When they hand me medical papers to fill out my mind goes blank. If I have this paper with me I can just look at it.

Medical Care

Do You Believe You Get Good Medical Care?

My Sister's Heart and Family History.

This is the story of my sister. We had gone for a visit and while we were there she complained about her upper back hurting and itching. I told her she needed to have her heart checked, but she insisted the pain was caused from her work. We did finally talk her into going to the doctor. He gave her anti-depression pills. That is usually what a doctor will do to women. My doctor did the same thing to me.

Later my husband and I were in Florida when she called one day and said our mother had locked the keys in the car and she had to walk to her home to get another set. She said all the way home her arm, back and cheek hurt. I told her to go to the doctor get a stress test done, don't let him talk you out of it. She went she had 90% blockage in one artery and some in another. They put stents in and she is doing better. She was lucky because she never had a heart attack it was stopped before it happened. If it was left up to her doctor she would have never got the help she needed.

I also have a brother that has had a heart attack and is doing well now after stents being put in.

My Dad died from a heart-related disease. My grandfather died from a heart attack. My uncles have died from heart attacks. Aunts have passed away with heart attacks. I have cousins that also have bad hearts. My mother has heart problems, but she is in her ninety’s. My family member’s most anyway live long lives, but they struggle with heart disease. My grandmother was 100 when she passed away. My grandparents on my Dad’s side were in their 90’s.

It does run in the family. My grandfather was the first to have heart problems. I was the second and it seem after that heart disease started showing up in many family members. I think when I had my heart attack it made the family more aware and they went to the doctor to get checked.

911

You Can Survive.

You can survive a heart attack with the right kind of care. Dec 9th was 29 years for me.

I received good advice from two people in my life about health care. The first advice was from the emergency room nurse. She told me to stand up for myself and not to let doctors ignore me because she said they will try to do that. We found that out while I was in the hospital that month. I had my husband with me most of the time and he did stand up for me many times.

The next advice I got was from a friend long gone now. She told me never to leave one of my family members in a hospital alone to always be with them as much as you can because they will need you just to make sure they stay safe. We found that out with our son when he was in the hospital. His story is in my hub

Update 2015

It's been over five years now since I had the stents put in and I'm doing very well. I have no pain. I can do pretty much anything I want or need to do. I still take medication, but nothing has had to be added.

My sister is also doing well since she had stents put in.

Rate My Mock Sour Cream

2 tablespoons skim milk1 tablespoons lemon juice1 cup low-fat small curd cottage cheese1/4 teaspoon saltPlace all ingredients in a blender and mix on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy. Use as a sour cream substitute. This sauce may be added to hot dishes at the last moment. Or serve it cold, with the addition of flavoring or herbs, as a dressing for the salad. .Yield: about 1 1/4 cups. Approx

You can add whatever you want to this sour cream like onions, etc. I add a 1/2 pkg. of Hidden Valley to it for a dip. Hidden Valley has 0 fat grams.

cal/serv.: 1 cup=180 1 tablespoon=10

Diet Soda

Diet and My Heart

What happens after a heart attack or any kind of heart procedure, first they send you to heart rehab and you get on the treadmills or the bikes and they keep track of how you do. A nurse is always on hand. I like this because it gets me going. I'm not as worried to try things with doctors and nurses nearby.

It will also be time to see the dietitian again. I can't tell you how many times I have talked with a dietitian not only for my heart but also a diabetic dietitian. I have also stayed in Weight Watchers. I do know how to eat and I try to eat what is good for me.

If I don't diet I can't keep my weight under control. People seem to always tell me how I should eat even when I very likely know more than they do.

Many years ago when I had the heart attacks the doctor told me to start drinking diet drinks and not sugar drinks. I'm from the south I was a Pepsi drinker. I have drink diet sodas for many years, but because of stomachaches I decided I needed to get off of diet drinks. My weight started going up so fast. I love water, but I feel like I get water logged. I'm a non-alcoholic drinker I have to have something in front of me all the time. Once I got off the diet drink I started gaining weight right away so now I’m struggling with that.

My doctor did say at the time of my heart attacks, no red meat, no salt, grilled not fried. We right away went to skim milk. Our kids don’t like whole milk at all and they’re grown-ups now. I still had a family to cook for and I had to cut out everything I could without them knowing.

If you’re struggling with the diet for your heart, you can go on the American Heart Association and they tell you on there how to eat or get a book that’s for heart patients. The clinic and hospitals also have free information in pamphlet form. I'm not a dietitian I can't begin to tell you how to eat all I can do is tell you what I have done.

We all know the basics:

More Vegetables and fruit

Lean meat (fish and Chicken)

Grilled or Baked not fried

Low Fat

Cut back on Sugar

Cut Salt Down

Hearts

Go Red For Women February 6.

Cold Winter Months and Heart Attacks.

Winter is especially bad for heart attack victims. Cold causes the body to respond by constricting the blood vessels to help the body maintain heat. That is what happened to me when I got in the cold the day before my attacks and the day after. They taught me in cardiac rehab to keep my mouth covered while going in the cold.

Some proteins can thicken from the cold and cause blood clots. Be sure to bundle up.

Of course, we all know winter weight gain is also bad for our hearts. All you can do is try to keep your calories under control.

I get very stressed in winter because of the short very cold days, all not good for your heart. You can get depressed from this and this can cause stress on your heart. See your doctor if you feel depressed.

Ask your doctor if vitamin D should be added for the winter because of the loss of sunlight.

Winter is the time of year when flu is going around. Flu is hard on a heart patient so do all you can to prevent getting the flu.

Learn how to do CPR. You need it just in case your loved one has a heart attack. I could save their life.

Baby Trying To Do CPR

Hubby and I many years ago

2014 The Stresses In My Life

I have faced many stresses in my life and my heart has held up through it all, the death of a parent, brain injury of a son and many other such stresses. We found out my husband had lung cancer in December thinking he had beat cancer we recently found out he has brain cancer. I have loved my husband and been married to him since I was a teenager to see him this sick is hard. I just pray my heart stays healthy so I can take care of him. He needs all the prayers, care and love he can get right now.

Comments

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sending

Kiss andTales

2 years ago

Wonderful written hub ! This hub will save lives, because you have given great details of symtoms, also you are covering realistic experiences of people not listening to you which I find very true that this seems to be a common thing now a days.

That can happen, but through it all you survived it all .thank you for sharing this valuable hub.

C E Clark

2 years agofrom North Texas

Came back to share this excellent article again in honor of the day we celebrate hearts -- Valentine's Day, just around the corner. A good day to bring attention to the condition of our hearts and make sure they are healthy.

Hope all is well with you. Take care . . .

AUTHOR

moonlake

2 years agofrom America

alexadry, Thank you, I miss him every day. Thanks so much for stopping by.

AUTHOR

moonlake

2 years agofrom America

RTalloni, Thank you for stopping by. I have been doing well with my heart even with all the stress I have had in the last two years.

AUTHOR

moonlake

2 years agofrom America

GarnetBird, Your welcome thanks so much for coming by.

AUTHOR

moonlake

2 years agofrom America

conradofontanilla, Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.

Adrienne Janet Farricelli

2 years agofrom USA

I am so sorry about all you went through and so sorry to hear you lost your husband not too long ago. Be strong. Thanks for this helpful hub.

RTalloni

2 years agofrom the short journey

It's important to share experiences that others can learn from. Both doctors and patients need to understand what happens in a situation like you went through. So sorry this happened to you, but am thankful you were able to get help.

conradofontanilla

3 years agofrom Philippines

National Institutes of Health USA found out last two years yet that chelation therapy is safe and effective for heart disease. It is a non invasive alternative to bypass. Access TACT (trials to assess chelation therapy) in the internet, I am having chelation therapy myself to cure angina. I AM now cured after 40 sessions.

Gloria Siess

3 years agofrom Wrightwood, California

A horrifying and vivid account.Thank you for wtiting this.

conradofontanilla

4 years agofrom Philippines

I have not gone through all your Hub and the comments. Aspirin induces allergy to any drug, according to Sears, Ph. D. in his book The Zone. Aspirin blocks cyclooxygenase acting on arachidonic acid. When this accumulates it converts to leukotriene that mediates allergy.

I suggest you watch your medication, get advice of a urologist because too many drugs might damage the kidneys that dispose off residues. Damage on kidneys can be worse than arrhythmia that you may need kidney transplant. Thrombus, or blood clot, responsible for your arrhythmia, can be dissolved by t-PA or streptokinase, or chelation therapy.

AUTHOR

moonlake

4 years agofrom America

Shyron, My doctor did tell me to replace my regular soda with diet soda. That was 31 years ago. Doctors feel different about diet drinks now.

I saw the doctor last week everything was doing great as far as my heart goes. I'm glad you have a good doctor that does the right thing for you. Thanks so much for stopping by. Blessings to you.

Shyron E Shenko

4 years agofrom Texas

Moonlake, I am so glad you are here and better. I do have a good doctor, that I see regularly or if something or if something is wrong. Like the last time I thought I was having a heart attack, he sent me to the hospital ER from his office.

When you said your doctor told you to start drinking diet drinks, I was surprised. My doctor told me not to drink diet drinks. Did you mean to say stop?

I am so glad that you are better.

Blessings and a happy 4th

Love Shyron

AUTHOR

moonlake

4 years agofrom America

jtrader, Thank you for stopping by. My husband found out doctors also don't listen to men. He told his doctor over and over about his cough and his hands turning blue, not once did the doctor suggest an x-ray. Just kept telling him he had asthma. We found out in Dec after an emergancy visit to the hospital he had lung cancer.

jtrader

4 years ago

Thanks for sharing your story. Unfortunately, sometimes there are health professionals who do tell women that symptoms are "nothing to worry about". Like we're imagining things.

AUTHOR

moonlake

4 years agofrom America

Your best bet is to go to the emergency room of another hospital not connected with your doctor, if you can do that. They will look at you with new interest.

It’s best to dump any doctor that will not take you serious and listen to you.

We just went through it again this week with my husband. We ended up with another doctor that wouldn't listen. My husband told his family doctor how he was feeling not one thing was done for him, the doctor didn't take an x-ray, a cough was involved and his hands were blue, told him he had asthma.

Saturday after Christmas I had to take him to emergency. He has lung cancer. If you live near Mayo Clinic go to them. They will put you through all kinds of test but should find out what is going on. You can make your own appointment and won't need your doctor’s ok unless your insurance wants it.

Wishing the best for you.

Dory

4 years ago

I can so relate to your story!! In 1995 went to a cardiologist because was having chest pain. I described the pain...he said pain isn't like that and blew it off. Told me it could be something in my back or my fibromyalgia. Speed forward to 2007...one morning had just left my house by the time I got to end of block had this horrible sharp pain...it continued off and on. I started at 7a...I talk on phones all day....for 2 hrs I took calls most of the time holding my chest. Finally around 10a told a manager who called my husband...went to emergency around 12p. They kept me for couple of days...had a cardiologist from same ofc as the one in '95 check on me there and afterwards. For 4 months went thru every test they could give and at the end of 08/07 the Dr said there is nothing wrong all tests are fine and started to repeat what his superior had said to me in '95. I was livid but to tired to fight. My husband asked what the percent of accuracy is in the tests...he said 70%...husband asked what is 100%...he said a cath...husband said that is what she wants....Dr did not want to do it and scheduled it for the end of 09/07. I still couldn't go to work...I was getting weaker and weaker and had pains everyday. Then on 09/22/07 I got up that morning feeling really great...ran some errons came home paid some bills then the pains hit really hard...kept trying to breath thru them. I had taken my husband to work and around 12:30p he said he would be ready to go in an hour. I didn't say anything other than would be there. When I hung up I was so worried how I was even going to get to my truck let aline drive. I managed tho....after getting in freeway the pain went away...was fine till I pulled into parking lot and the pain was the worst ever...breathing thru it wasn't working. After 4 attempts to dial his cell it finally went thru...as soon as he answered the pain stopped...I just said I was there. We came home and as we pulled into drive way the pain started...I tried to cover it up and get it to stop by laying down..failed on both attempts...he found me rocking holding my chest with tears streaming down my cheeks. He called 911...the did EKG and said...nothing wrong with your heart...really!! Got to the er and within 30min Dr was there...mind you his scheduled cath fort me was going to be that Friday and this was Tuesday. He said...so you couldn't wait huh...I said no just wanted some attention. The next morning at 6a they took me into cath room...45min later he asked me how I was doing then said they found something...right out my mouth was Oh so it wasn't my fibromyalgia!! He came around the Plexiglas pail as a sheet and said no...your aorta--the widows maker--was 98% blocked! Consequently I never went back to him...I have a new Dr of which now going thru the same thing. Can't get him to listen. Last year on 08/!4/13 had a 30min episode then again exactly 6yrs to the date if 09/22/13 also lasting about 30min. That one kicked my tail. But since I had a stress test 11/12 he said there wouldn't be anything wrong now. I have been having issues and getting weaker and weaker. Starting to loosing my hair again...retaining water...you name it its happening. Went to see him to day...again he blew me off. I'm at my witts end with the so called Dr's. I'm scared and just don't know where to go or who to turn to. Thanks for listening tho.

AUTHOR

moonlake

5 years agofrom America

Indian Chef, Thank you and thanks for the vote.

Indian Chef

5 years agofrom New Delhi India

Very nicely written hub..voting it up

AUTHOR

moonlake

5 years agofrom America

georgialgal1984, Thank you.

Mrs Clark

5 years agofrom United States

So glad they checked and are watching for you. It's really amazing how many thing that little thyroid effects! Hope your children's situation with their thyroid improves for them. :)

AUTHOR

moonlake

5 years agofrom America

georgialgal1984, I know the thyroid can be an awful problem. We have two kids that had to have their thyroids removed last year. One is doing great, the other not so great.

At the time of my heart attacks that was the one of the first things they checked, my thyroid was fine. They continue to keep an eye on it.

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a nice comment.

Mrs Clark

5 years agofrom United States

After reading your story, it sounds a lot like what I was dealing with when my thyroid and adrenals were out of control. They can greatly effect your heart and cholesterol, when they are not controlled and functioning normally. Many women are dealing with low thyroids and adrenal fatigue these days.

Glad you were able to get the help you need and be a survivor. Kudos for helping your sister too! Hope you week is wonderful~

AUTHOR

moonlake

5 years agofrom America

vespawoolf, Your welcome. I have lived with it for so long it's just a part of my daily life now. When I hear people complain how awful it is because they have to take a few pills a day. I wish that's all I had to take. Thanks so much for stopping by.

vespawoolf

5 years agofrom Peru, South America

Wow! I had no idea you'd been through all this. I'm so sorry. I hope this Hub helps other women who have undiagnosed heart disease. I've heard that it's more common than we realize and that doctors don't recognize it. Now I know that it's true. I'm glad that you were able to get the help and meds you need and are able to live a normal life. All your suggestions about keeping your medications list and records with you on your Nook are very helpful. I'm also happy to have your mock sour cream recipe. We are also trying to control our sodium and fat intake. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us.

AUTHOR

moonlake

5 years agofrom America

Au fait, Finding a lawyer cost money too and it can stay in the courts for years. Hospitals and doctors cover up for other doctors. My sister-in-law filed a lawsuit because of something being left in her leg during surgery the hospital did all it could to slow down that lawsuit. They knew she was would be dead soon, she never got a thing. I've seen this same thing happen with friends that have tried.

Thanks for stopping and for the vote.

C E Clark

5 years agofrom North Texas

This is an excellent hub and I'm so glad you shared your experience with us. I have many of the symptoms you list, but no insurance and no money. Doctors don't work for free. No matter, I'm ready to go whenever the Lord calls me.

I know you are one of those people who doesn't believe in lawsuits, but unfortunately by not filing one you leave these doctors free to treat other women just as badly, and some women will die as a result. The only time some doctors listen and set aside their God complexes is when it costs them a bushel basket of money not to. Better healthcare for everyone is the reason to file lawsuits. When doctors learn to listen and do what they're supposed to do without lawsuits, there will be many fewer of lawsuits.

Voted up and useful!

AUTHOR

moonlake

5 years agofrom America

rebeccamealey, Thank you and thanks so much for stopping by.

AUTHOR

moonlake

5 years agofrom America

Peggy W, Thank you for your comment. I was very lucky that the last doctor I went to did listen to me or I would have not made it. Thanks for the vote, share and fb.

Rebecca Mealey

5 years agofrom Northeastern Georgia, USA

That is quite a story. It sounds like you went through a lot. I am glad you are better, and thanks for sharing. I love the mock sour cream recipe!

Peggy Woods

5 years agofrom Houston, Texas

You have done a great service by sharing this about your personal life and symptoms prior to your having a heart attack. Doctors are now more aware than they were years ago that women do indeed have heart attacks and that the symptoms between men and women are often very different. You are fortunate that you survived!

As to having family members with you in a hospital setting to be one's advocate...that is also so very important.

Up votes and definitely sharing this! Tweeted and also sent it to FB. It may help save other lives. God bless you!

AUTHOR

moonlake

5 years agofrom America

rajan jolly, Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate the vote and the shared.

Rajan Singh Jolly

5 years agofrom From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar,INDIA.

A very useful and detailed hub. Certainly needs sharing to spread the word that women too can suffer from heart ailments and to take things in their hands.

Voted up and shared.

AUTHOR

moonlake

6 years agofrom America

learner365

Thank you for stopping by. I hope this hub will help other women. We often think we can't take the time to get ourselves checked out because we're so busy. Heart attacks in women are so different than in men.

Thanks for the up vote.

Saadia A

6 years ago

Thank you for sharing your experience with all of us. Doctors often confuse us and sometimes they can't foresee how in serious trouble a patient can get into if the accurate diagnosis is not made in time.Also

by sharing your experience you have done a great job as many women are not aware of what they conceive as an ordinary pain can sometimes be so serious.Seeking medical help is always very important!!!

It is a very useful writing by you!!! My vote up!!!

AUTHOR

moonlake

6 years agofrom America

Millionaire Tips,

I have no idea. He said to me what's going on in your home. I said "I'm getting ready for a graduation party and expecting family from out of town." So maybe he thought I needed them. The strange thing the test did show something was going on but because of my age they just didn't believe it was my heart.

Thanks so much for stopping by my hub.

Shasta Matova

6 years agofrom USA

This is important information for women to read, since we don't have the symtoms that men do, and the symptoms are so vague and fit so many other illnesses. Why were the doctors trying to give you anti-depressants?

AUTHOR

moonlake

7 years agofrom America

Cardisa, thanks for stopping by. Your right thanks to my hubby I saw another doctor. One thing I forgot in my symptoms,I was also losing my memory. I would start to say something and then a word wouldn't come to me and I would search around in my brain trying to find that word.

Carolee Samuda

7 years agofrom Jamaica

Moonlake, I am so touched by this. Those doctors sometimes know nothing of what they are doing. Wrong diagnosis or in your case non diagnosis often result in much worse scenarios. I am so happy you decided to go to another doctor, thank to your hubby of course.

AUTHOR

moonlake

7 years agofrom America

Thank you, Cutters I'm so much better then I was a few years ago the stents do wonders. Thank you for stopping by.

Cutters

7 years agofrom South Carolina

Moonlake I am so happy to see you are still here today. I do not know your pain and the agony you went through but with your hub I felt like I was with you the entire time. Thank you for sharing

AUTHOR

moonlake

9 years agofrom America

Thank you and thanks for visiting.

Rebecca Graf

9 years agofrom Wisconsin

Very detailed and informative. I keep forgetting to get this information together.

AUTHOR

moonlake

10 years agofrom America

I did have a hard time at the beginning but I have made it 25 years now. I have bad days now but few and I can live with that.

ajcor

10 years agofrom NSW. Australia

Thanks for this hub - you certainly had a hard time but are so lucky you made it! I think that some doctors get a little jaundiced and also that everyone needs to own their health issues and make sure they get the help they need. cheers

AUTHOR

moonlake

10 years agofrom America

Thank you for checking out my hub.

Bellemerchant

10 years agofrom New York

You have earned a new fan with your insightful hub. I don't keep track of my medication and as a result I usually run out and this has had, on occasion certain adverse effects. I like your idea of laminating a copy of my medication. Thank you for the hub.

AUTHOR

moonlake

10 years agofrom America

Thank You, I hope it does help.

minx75

10 years agofrom North Carolina

wow your decriptions of the events are so detailed i felt like i was right there! You really explained the symptoms in a way that people can identify with easily. I'm thankful you're alive to tell it today!

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